Visa has launched a new pilot program that allows businesses to pay directly with stablecoins. The program, specifically designed for content creators, freelancers, and gig economy workers, aims to accelerate cross-border payments. Under the pilot, businesses in the US can initiate payments with fiat currency through Visa Direct, while recipients have the option to receive payments in USDC.
Visa launches cryptocurrency-focused project
Visa describes this system as "accessible money transfers in minutes, accessible to everyone." Chris Newkirk, Head of Commerce and Money Movement Solutions at the company, said, "This project is about making global access to money in minutes, not days. Whether you're a content creator building a digital brand, a business expanding into new markets, or a freelancer working across borders, everyone will benefit from faster, more flexible money movement."
The new pilot is a continuation of Visa's previous work on stablecoin payments. In September, the company launched a test that allowed businesses to pre-fund Visa Direct payments not only with fiat currency but also with stablecoins. This new phase allows users to receive payments directly in stablecoins. This takes Visa's transformation from fiat to digital dollars a step further.
The pilot program was initially launched only with select partners. Visa states that it will be available to a wider user base in the second half of 2026. Currently, only USDC is supported, but plans are in place to add other stablecoins to the system in the future. Recipients must have a compatible stablecoin wallet and undergo KYC/AML verification.
Visa's move is a significant development that strengthens the role of crypto assets in the payments world. Since 2020, the company has reached over $140 billion in crypto and stablecoin transactions. Last year alone, stablecoin spending with Visa cards quadrupled. The company's CEO, Ryan McInerney, announced that more than 130 stablecoin-linked card programs are in operation in more than 40 countries, and that monthly spending using stablecoins has surpassed $2.5 billion annually.
Visa isn't limiting its stablecoin strategy to individual payments. In recent months, it partnered with Stripe subsidiary Bridge to allow developers to create stablecoin-linked Visa cards. It also tested the use of stablecoins in treasury and liquidity management with Yellow Card, which operates in Africa. It also launched the Visa Tokenized Asset Platform, which allows banks to print and burn their own stablecoins in a pilot environment.
The company aims to expand stablecoin-based solutions, particularly in emerging markets and cross-border money transfers. It's believed this system could significantly simplify matters in regions experiencing currency restrictions, banking access issues, or currency volatility. However, the program has some initial restrictions. Currently, participation is limited to US-based businesses, and only USDC is supported. Clarifying regulations and completing licensing processes on a global scale will be critical for the expansion of the system.
